ATHENS, Ga. - The UNC Asheville women's swim team ended its first season in 36 years with it first podium finish and a stunning ninth-place finish at the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Championships on Saturday. The final day of the championships took place at the University of Georgia Gabrielsen Natatorium.

The Bulldogs with just eight swimmers this season finished with 135 points and in front of four other teams.

"I am so proud of my staff and the swimmers for all of their hard work these last seven months," stated Asheville coach Elizabeth Lykins. "Our incredible team finish of ninth place (ahead of four teams) with only eight swimmers should be noted as one of the most successful finishes in CCSA history."

Freshman Galen Broido put herself in the Bulldog record book by becoming the first Asheville swimmer to reach the podium at the CCSA Championships. She finished second in the mile with an incredible time of 17:06.68.

Alessandra Troncoso earned a seventh place and some valuable points for the Bulldogs with a seventh-place in the 200 breaststroke as the posted a time of 2:22.78

The final event of the evening for the Bulldogs was the 400 freestyle relay. Asheville finished ninth with a time of 3:38.18. Kristen Lawson led off with a time of 55.73, followed by Troncoso swimming the second leg at 54.70. Broido swam the third leg and had a time of 54.39. Ashley Ireland had a great swim as the anchor and had a sensational time of 53.36.

In the morning, the Bulldogs had some good efforts. Lawson dropped eight seconds in the 200 backstroke at 2:11.43.

In the 100 freestyle, Amanda Larsen (1:03.64), Hallie Gillespie (1:00.31) and Ashley Ireland (54.17) were all lifetime best times.

The final morning event was the 200 butterfly. Junior Liz Acker set a new school record in the event at a time of 2:16.76. This was her best time by six seconds.